Tennis courts, parking among community center design concerns

August 1, 2012|Nadia Sorocka nsorocka@tribune.com

Last May the Village Council OK'd the demolition of the Wellington Community Center in order to make way for a new one in 2014. Recently village staff had a workshop with council members to discuss plans for the new facility.

"We looked at the project from a programming perspective after we determined and [were] approved by the council to do a complete reconstruction of the community center," said Jim Barnes, the village's director of operations.

The project initially was conceived to be a renovation for weather purposes, updating and enhancement.

"We seek direction from council [as to whether it] would have a separate design project or alternatively a design-build," Barnes said.

The village went with the concept of looking for access to the waterfront, connectivity to the entire complex and matching the architectural design of the new city hall and amphitheater.

The goal is to address the community's needs with a multigenerational building that will be two stories because of lack of space.

"We are not looking to build a rec[reation] or senior center on the site," Barnes said.

Village staff said they wanted direction from the council as to whether the tennis facility and pro shop should be relocated adjacent to the tennis courts. The council said that a facility in the middle of the tennis courts would not allow tennis staff to see the location well. It was also noted that this location would cut into the courts.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig suggested that the facility be located back in the building.

"We could keep them in the community center and give them less balcony space," she said.

Vice Mayor Howard Coates said that before deciding the village needs to determine the future view regarding tennis.

"We need to look and decide [if] we [are] committed to maintain this level of courts," he said.

Councilman John Greene and Coates voiced concerns about parking.

"We need to think about parking and where we are going to put these cars and people," Coates said.

Gerwig said the only way to gain parking was to move the tennis courts, something she did not want to do because of the expense. She also wanted to make sure that the waterfront is opened up.